Early Fall 511, AV
Kavala accepted a cup of tea from Navasa, a beautiful Konti Nakivak that tended to run Lars’ outside office. She was comfortably seated in the inner office of Vars Construciton, a posh interior of deep ebony stone decorated in deep wine and red brocades that really elaborated the Akalak’s skill she was here to hire. Lars Varkas owned his own business in Riverfall and was one of the primary businesses associated with building. His construction yard was elaborate and well stocked by a mill that existed outside of town. Any and all lumber that was bought and sold in Riverfall passed through the Akalak’s hands. The mill did only a small portion of the actual lumber work because the city of Riverfall itself imported a great deal of its lumber from far and wide, preferring to reserve its limited fringe forest resources for future endeavors. In Kavala’s hands was a large pouch of coin, so heavy in fact, that it was more like a case than an actual money pouch. She had laid a small folder of handwritten plans on the big ironwood desk in front of her, ready to compare them to the plans the talented builder supposedly had drawn up for her approval.
They’d already been out to Sanctuary, walked the site, explored the sea cave below on the beach, and talked about featured. She was just here to sign the final contract, pay Lars Varkas’ fee, and help get started on the new project. Lars was a first rate Geomancer and knew when she’d learned reimancy that was her element as well. And while he was going to be doing the lion’s share of the work, she would be there to do the finishing projects – texturing the walls, changing the interior to the type of stone she wanted, while he indeed was going to carve out the huge rooms that would be needed for Sanctuary’s Within.
Yes, the Within. Kavala had decided that the limited space the staff and denizens of Sanctuary had was at capacity and the only way to really stretch and grow was to build down and into the massive cliff the facility perched upon. She wanted an easy access to the beach and thus sea below via a gently slopping and curling tunnel large enough to lead two horses through side by side (or drive a cart through). She wanted a common area that was large and roomie, as well as a real kitchen. Sanctuary never had one… only a hearth on a veranda that was used constantly for cooking. She wanted her own suite, a room all of her own she had to share with no one that would indeed become her retreat when she needed to be alone. Then, by the staff’s own urging, they’d decided on a library and training room where they could all work on their skills. At first she wanted two guest rooms as well, and a more secured room, something very solid, that they could house unsavories if such a course of action was needed.
All and all it was the makings of a fortress. And while Lars has planned to draw up the schematics, she’d asked him to allow for all kinds of other rooms to be added later, either by himself or by her own doing if she ever felt comfortable with the work to try and do it alone.
And finally, most importantly, they’d walked the sea cave and figured out real ways to not only expand it but to make sure that it was large enough to house the whole of Sanctuary’s stock during storms and in climate weather. Riverfall was prone to flooding and constant deluges in the spring. And in the summer storms came in off the Suvan that were epic in proportion, knocking down trees for miles and ruining the grasslands further inland. Kavala had already lost livestock, she wanted to make sure there were plenty of room for sheltering the herds of Sanctuary when the time came it was needed.
